Following a series of executions in Gaza, Hamas has come under international scrutiny for its handling of internal dissent and the continued violence amidst the fragile ceasefire. Senior Hamas official Mohammed Nazzal has publicly defended these actions, stating that they are necessary to eliminate individuals deemed guilty of supporting Israel or committing violent acts. This assertion has drawn mixed reactions, with some within the group supporting the purges as a means to maintain control, while others within Palestinian society condemn the executions as excessive and indiscriminate.
In an exclusive interview from Gaza, Moumen Al-Natour, a lawyer and former Hamas political prisoner, has criticized the group’s actions, describing the killings as part of a broader effort to assert dominance across the territory. Al-Natour, who is also a co-founder of the ‘We Want To Live Movement,’ highlighted the emergence of multiple local militias resisting Hamas’s control, including the Abu Shabab clan in Rafah, the Doghmush clan in Gaza City, and the Mujaida clan in Khan Younis. These groups have been engaging in sporadic resistance, ranging from raids to armed standoffs, indicating that Hamas’s grip on the territory is beginning to wane.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning against the executions, threatening military action if the group continues its violent tactics. His comments were made in response to footage circulating online showing Hamas fighters executing Palestinians in Gaza City. According to Israeli officials, these executions are part of a larger effort by Hamas to reassert its dominance following the ceasefire and to eliminate perceived threats to its control. The actions have raised concerns about the potential for further violence and instability in the region, with analysts warning that the post-war phase could mark a new cycle of conflict and revenge.
Joseph Braude of the Center for Peace Communications has described the current situation as a ‘dark time’ for Hamas’s opponents, noting that the group is using the lull to settle old scores and reassert dominance through brute force. He pointed to specific incidents, including the killing of a pregnant woman and a 5-year-old child, as evidence of the indiscriminate nature of the violence. Braude’s organization has released footage of a Gazan who described how one child was killed by Hamas, further emphasizing the severity of the situation.
Trump’s 20-point plan for peace in Gaza has been proposed as a framework to manage the post-war period, including the possibility of granting amnesty to certain Hamas members. However, the plan has faced criticism, with analysts like Michael Milshtein of Tel Aviv University suggesting that the initiative may not fully address the complexities of the region. Milshtein noted that Hamas has seized weapons and financial resources from the clans, drawing parallels to Hezbollah’s takeover of southern Lebanon in 2000. This situation has left Israel in a difficult position, as it may soon be forced to protect these clans or risk absorbing them later, like the allies it evacuated from Lebanon.
Residents of Gaza have expressed deep concern about the ongoing conflicts, with many fearing another internal war. One anonymous Gazan described the streets as being ‘filled with gangs’ and warned that the situation could quickly spiral out of control. Another resident emphasized the desire for a return to peace without violence, highlighting the lack of certainty about the future of the region. As the post-war period unfolds, the situation in Gaza remains uncertain, with the potential for further violence and instability, raising questions about the long-term viability of the ceasefire and the possibility of a lasting peace.